Impressions of 2009 Macbook, iMac, and MagicMouse.

[Omi]

an official mozymac review.

As an Apple fan, its unwritten law to get excited over the littlest update to an Apple product. And as you can imagine, when Apple suddenly announced an updated iMac, Macbook, and (finally) mouse I was ecstatic. Unfortunately school has tied me to my desk, making it impossible to go the Apple store and play with the products until now. But I have done it, and here are my first thoughts.

Macbook.
The Macbook is, in my opinion, the one Apple product that needed a refresh more than any other. My 3 year old blackbook is prone to incredibly annoying, ugly, and slightly painful (when you rub your arm against it) stress cracks. Not to mention that compared to the uber-long battery-life, multitouch 13" MBP pro brother the macbook looked like a forgotten baby. So when a new macbook came out past, present, and (potentially) future macbook owners rejoiced in unison. The question is however, is this update enough to make Apple's best selling notebook a favorite once again?

The design of the new Macbook isn't immediately different. At first glance you hardly notice anything different other than the fact its a tadbit shinier. But once you start to play with it you notice that it is different. It feels different. Its shaped different.

And in general just feels cleaner. Less protrusions that in theory should keep it cleaner and make it more durable. But, immediately I noticed a few scratches on the machine, and dirt on the (clever) rubber bottom, even though its quite a new product. Granted its in the Apple store, a constantly bustling public place but it did make me wonder what it would like after a few days of being dragged round school with me. Crap, i'd imagine.

The good news is however, its a snappy well specced machine and the multitouch trackpad is fantastic. There is no denying that no other laptop trackpad can compare.

iMac.
The new iMacs have essentially the same design. And that is a good thing. It is no doubt one of the best looking desktops on the market now. No other manufacturer can even compare because even their high end machines are plastic. No plastic here. At all.
You may remember that the previous iMac had a black plastic backing, not anymore. Apple has changed it to a complete unibody enclosure. Whats the result of this? Harder to mount, harder to repair. Thanks Apple.


But the big changes to the iMac, is the guts and the screen. And big changes they are. Simply said the iMac is one powerful machine that runs like you would expect an iMac should run. Just better.

The 27" 16:9 widescreen display, is utterly amazing. Though a tad unusual due to its large size and odd shape, all I wanted to do was replace my 13" macbook and my dads 24" iMac with this new one. It just made so much sense to have that room, at that resolution. Thanks Apple! (no sarcasm intended this time)

Magic Mouse.
Now for quite literally the most exciting updated product, as well as the cheapest. Finally Apple has replaced their horribly flawed Mighty Mouse. I am a huge fan of the Mighty Mouse idea, 360 degree scroll ball, no physical buttons except for the two shortcuts on the side, simple design. However, like the rest of the world I grew to hate the 360 hardlyscroll, dirt attracting nipple, and sticky lack of button excuse for a good mouse. Apple finally realized they have the worst functioning mice on the planet and to say thanks for all these years, released a multitouch MAGIC mouse.

The Magic Mouse does take a little of getting used to. For example, scrolling seemed tedious (moving my finger down half of the mouse and back up again) until i realized I could flick just like on my iPhone. That made me smile, i'm not going to lie. The other multitouch functions just made using the computer so much more enjoyable, and the mouse seemed less likely to fail as the mighty mouse. Perhaps all these MBP snobs won't scoff at as desktop users anymore.

But there was one flaw I noticed immediately. The shape. It doesn't feel good in your hand. Kind of sharp, and doesn't fit in the curves. It made me realize just how perfectly shaped the Mighty Mouse was. I highly recommend you play with the mouse before you buy it, but I will add that the shape didn't end my romance with the wonderfully clever, and fairly expensive magic mouse.




In the end, each of the products has a flaw, be it durability, shape, or just plain simplicity but that doesn't mean that they aren't strong contenders for this holiday season. And i'm positive that there are going to be many new and old mac users alike enjoying these new products.

Photography and Words by Omi. MozyMac.

[Thomas]

I thought the mouse looked really stupid and would be useless until i actually used one *loves.*

[Fahad]

we are going to post a macbook white unboxing video soon, so keep tuned.

[DoFoT9]

love it!

[Thomas]

we are going to post a macbook white unboxing video soon, so keep tuned.

yeah im not at home so ill send it to you today or tommorw or which ever is sunday.

[Omi]

@Thomas Really? I thought it looked better in pictures! THat doesn't mean its not a bad mouse though.

@Fahad very cool. Can't wait!

@dofo, if your talking about the review thankyou very much lol

[DoFoT9]

@dofo, if your talking about the review thankyou very much lol

haha yup i was, love that Magic Mouse!!

[Thomas]

@Thomas Really? I thought it looked better in pictures! THat doesn't mean its not a bad mouse though.

@Fahad very cool. Can't wait!

Too bad my video sucks I really need to think about getting a tripod rofl, and it doesnt help that i was moar excited about the macbook than him lolol.

[Omi]

Haha Thomas I just wanna change the music and chop out a few bits if that's alright...

[Thomas]

Haha Thomas I just wanna change the music and chop out a few bits if that's alright...

Just give me the music and ill chop out cause i know
where you want it cut.